Did the great Lakes car ferries sail after 1967?
I realize the thread is about NY harbor boats, but "the last railroad ferries" includes other waters.
Fond memories of the CNJ, DL&W, Erie and NYC, heck even the Staten Island Nickle ride, but the railroad ferries were free rides....just join the flood of people sailing on the ferries to connect to or from trains in Jersey....Hudson Tubes, NY Subways....cheap....1950's teenage railfanning in N'Yawk Hah'buh!
They were the last fleet to be steam and never made it to diesel. That's why we'd go out of our way to ride. Dad parked the car in the gangway and we'd walk over to the open door and watch and listen to those steam engines with awe. The last railroad ferries, were by the end, the EL's, both diesels, in 1967.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
For some unkown reason, when I tried to correct spelling in the post, it got posted, and then the one with corrected spelling got posted, so I wished to delete the one with the spelling mistaked. Appreciate your comments on my trip. Yes, most NYC-area ferry boats were steam powered in 1947. I am not sure if the Central ever switched to diesel before giving up the service.
I am finding your story to Flieshmans deleted in two places...but don't know why. I did read it and tried to respond and I got to the blank page indicating "deleted". But I will try to make a comment here. Several things...in a employee timetable I found speed limits on the U&D to be 55 with curves at 50. A ride east out of Arkville back in the 80s I was impressed with the superelevated curves and speed limit signs at 50. I also wanted to point out that your ride(s) on the West Shore's Weehawken Ferry was propelled by steam, too; I think the boat service was pulled instead of being dieselized.
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